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Topic Review (Newest First)

04-04-2012 01:24 PM

Alsandair

I'm more to the coast, Prince Rupert would be the nearest harbour.

04-02-2012 10:07 AM

Armchairsailor2

Re: Hello from Canada. Looking to plan a long trip, any help would be appreciated.

Whereabouts are you based? I'll probably be working out of Fort Nelson and/or FSJ for the summer on projects (3wks on, 1 wk off). I'm also aiming to be based generally around Langley area when we get over and buy somewhere. I'd check out the LMYC at White Rock - they have about 7 boats and rates look reasonable.

03-28-2012 03:13 PM

Alsandair

Hello from Canada. Looking to plan a long trip, any help would be appreciated.

Yeah, I live in Langley for the school year, and I'm finding that I miss the winters with snow. When I packed for this last year, I had to give my head a shake...then proceed to unpack all my winter clothes and coat. People around here think I'm crazy.

03-28-2012 01:50 PM

Mystic1

Re: Hello from Canada. Looking to plan a long trip, any help would be appreciated.

Not quite from Northern BC, but I did live up in Fort St. John for a year a couple of years ago. All I can say is...... Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Summer was nice though.

03-28-2012 01:33 PM

Alsandair

Re: Hello from Canada. Looking to plan a long trip, any help would be appreciated.

My father and I are planning on taking a sailing course in Vancouver. It's a week long with theory/lingo and practical hands-on training. Other than that, I'm hoping for a job on the ferries, (2 wks on/off) so I may spend some of the off time in Prince Rupert, looking for skippers to sail with.

03-28-2012 01:28 PM

jackdale

Re: Hello from Canada. Looking to plan a long trip, any help would be appreciated.

Not many from Northern BC in Sailnet. Lots of Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, with sprinkling of Albertans (like me).

You might also take some lessons. There are lots of schools in Vancouver.

The coop idea is worth exploring.

Many race boats are looking for crew, especially those who can commit. Some crews ask for cost sharing which can be variable; others are free rides. You just need to show up with the right gear and some beer.

My start was on a race boat, I then shifted to cruising and have raced occasionally; including some of the bigger races on the coast. The racing experience was very valuable as a cruiser. It is like skiing the blue runs after the black runs.

03-28-2012 01:09 PM

Alsandair

Re: Hello from Canada. Looking to plan a long trip, any help would be appreciated.

Are any of you from Northern BC?

03-28-2012 10:37 AM

Armchairsailor2

Re: Hello from Canada. Looking to plan a long trip, any help would be appreciated.

Racing is a great way to train on account of it being very intense. You learn to make quick sail changes, use wind shifts and currents to best advantage (hopefully!) and a LOT of reacers are highly experienced. They're always looking for crews, so it's easy to get out for a midweek around the cans blast on a range of vessels, and who knws where it'll lead you? I'd not raced until a few years ago, having always cruised, but found it to be different and very useful for higlighting the gaps in your knowledge. Good for exploring outside your comfort zone. Not to be discounted. Good luck and have fun! I'll maybe see you around later in the year...

03-28-2012 02:21 AM

Alsandair

Hello from Canada. Looking to plan a long trip, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't want to cross forums.

It is not that I plan not to try racing, it's just that I believe u will prefer cruising. Anyways, like you say, I will have to develop that preference through experience.

Again, thanks to everyone who posted!

03-28-2012 01:56 AM

Faster

Re: Hello from Canada. Looking to plan a long trip, any help would be appreciated.

Pretty well all the sailing related forum sections here will be of use to you.. do yourself a favour and avoid off-topic!

It's very early days for you.. check into the various co-ops in the area, do a lot of dock walking and try to talk to people you see down there.. we're almost always ready for an eager beginner's questions.

Wheel vs tiller, Full keel vs fin keel, heavy vs light, sloop vs ketch, big vs small ....the debates are never ending - even (or esp.) among long time sailors. Your eventual budget will have a big effect on what you will be able to consider. In the meantime you can try to get enough experience to develop your own preferences.

There are various yacht clubs that hold casual racing programs, the Vancouver Rowing Club probably has the most relaxed program, but all clubs sponsor races of one type or another, and boats are often looking for crew - reliability and good attitude will be more important than experience in many cases.. and before you pull the 'I don't race' card, know that this way you might get experience on a number of different boats and sizes for little or no cost. You'll learn the mechanics of sailing very quickly and learning how to get the most out of the conditions under sail will only do you good when you're cruising.

This is a great area.. winter sailing/racing is challenging, and in summer there are few spots in the world better for scenic, sheltered waters. Fascinating inlets, a good park system, and the ability to offer everything from daysailing and short harbour hopping to treks outside Vancouver Island, to Haida Gwai, or Alaska and beyond.

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